Writing in Kannada waning in Bangalore, says Karnad

Eminent playwright and Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad regretted that Kannada writers in Bangalore are shying away from writing following the rapid urbanisation taking place in the city.

He noted this while speaking at a book release ceremony organised by Manohara Grantha Mala here on Sunday on the occasion of its 80th anniversary.

“Society in Bangalore is getting complex and ‘Benda Kalu on Toast,’ released today (Sunday), is an effort to depict the changing scenario in metropolitans,” he said.

Noted literary critic Narahalli Balsubramanya released four books namely ‘A K Ramanujam’s Aaida Prabandhagalu,’ K Satyanarayana’s collection of stories ‘Heggurutu,’ Prasanna’s skits ‘Acharya Prahasana Mattu En Huchoori’ and Girish Karnad’s play ‘Benda Kalu on Toast’ on the occasion.

He opined that statements by prominent literary figures on the text of any writer should be received as positive criticism.

“It should pave the way for a healthy debate in literary circles,” he observed.

Author K Satyanarayana felt that writing stories was a pleasure at a time when the habit of narrating and listening to stories was waning. Pavanaja spoke on e-library. Noted critic Giraddi Govindraj presided over the programme.